1 / 20

Visa Updates

Visa Updates. NAFSA: Association of International Educators Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee of the Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee. Presenters. Dianne De Salvo, Chair Jason Sanderson, France Country Coordinator Scott Keller, Italy Country Coordinator

lynsey
Download Presentation

Visa Updates

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Visa Updates NAFSA: Association of International Educators Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee of the Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee

  2. Presenters • Dianne De Salvo, Chair • Jason Sanderson, France Country Coordinator • Scott Keller, Italy Country Coordinator • Holly Zimmerman-Levoir, Spain Country Coordinator • Laurence Tuccori, UK Country Coordinator • Beth Laux, World-At-Large Liaison • Debbie Miller, Visa Education Subcommittee Chair

  3. NAFSA: Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee

  4. NAFSA: Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee

  5. www.nafsa.org/eavisas

  6. Visit: www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp

  7. Select one of the top four countries or any “other” country.  Visit: http://www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp

  8. Enter up to 1000 characters into each text field. The remaining space is shown as you type.  Visit: http://www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp

  9. CampusFrance Updates • Assigned consulate will be enforced. Students need to be mindful as they create their PASTEL account. • Passwords can no longer be retrieved by CampusFrance staff. Consider using a single password for group. • Group mailings are now possible. Reduces processing time from three weeks to roughly one week from receipt of materials. (See handout) • Consulate Updates • Major changes have been announced by various consulates, but until they have been confirmed by Paris, the current process remains in effect. FRANCE Country Coordinator Jason Sanderson Georgetown University Regional Liaisons Atlanta: Open Position Boston: Emily Brazer Chicago: Open Position Houston: Open Position LA: Briana Sapp Miami: Open Position NY: Rebecca James SF: Noah Kuchins

  10. Two-step Immigration process Student Visa Requirements (above 90 days) • US & Non-Schengen Nationals: Visa is required; use National visa application form; no cost for study visa Visa Requirements (below 90 days) • US and Nationals of visa-waiver countries: No Visa • International students from non-visa waiver countries (China, Haiti, etc.): Visa is required; use Schengen visa application form Permesso di Soggiorno (Permit of Stay) • All students (even EU citizens) staying 90 days or more in Italy must complete the PDS kit • Cost for Visa holders: 154,80€ (various fees) Updates and Important Notes • Fingerprinting requirement for Short-Stay Schengen visa applicants (i.e., students from China, Vietnam, etc.) • Private program providers can no longer batch process • LA: Batch processing only • NY Consulate: student’s name must be on bank letter • No 1 problem: Financial documentation • Visa Requirements vary by consulate – check websites! Encourage students to begin the application process as soon as possible within the 90 day window before their program start date. ITALY Country Coordinator Scott Keller Neumann University Regional Liaisons Boston: AlikiKaragiannis Chicago: Rosemary Sands Detroit: David Younger Houston: LA:Katerina Georgieva Miami: NY: Collette Reny Philadelphia: Scott Keller SF: Noah Kuchins Washington DC: Karen Wardzala

  11. Background checks • Only required for student stays of more than 180 days. May be StatePolice issued check WITH Apostille stamp, or FBI Check. • Batch processing by study abroad offices/universities • Allowedat most of the consulates except DC. San Franciscoallows batch drop-off but students must pick up in person • There are different requirements for individuals than for batch processing. Be sure to check their website! • Check with your specific consulate for times available for batching. • Appointments vary • Most consulates have on-line companies handling the scheduling of appointments. DC and Houston take walk-in customers and do not accept appointments. Check the consulate websites to see updated information • Non-U.S. citizens • Most consulates accept Schengen and student visa applications from non-U.S. citizens • Always check Consulate website before submitting as changes can happen without notice. SPAIN Country Coordinator Holly Zimmerman-LeVoir University of Minnesota Regional Liaisons Boston: Lee Frankel Chicago: Danette Bontrager Houston: Open LA: Monica Reynolds Miami: Regina Foster NY: Open SF: Holly Frohlick Washington DC: Hilary Hartley

  12. Two Student Routes • Student Visitor • Less than 6 months (no work, internships or volunteering permitted) • General Student Visa under Tier 4 • For courses longer than 6 months, and all courses involving study + work/internship • Streamlined application process for students from low-risk countries attending Highly Trusted Sponsor institutions • No longer need evidence of funding • Consulate could still request funding • Guidance states to allow for 6-week minimum processing • Or choose Priority ($170) processing at time of application mailing • UKVI goal to process the majority of applications within 15 business days UK Country Coordinator Laurence Tuccori University of Kentucky Regional Liaisons Amber Schneider Christine Menand Justin Williams Katharine Reinhart

  13. WAL Team offers best practices • Based on information and visa processing experience of the group members • Do not have consulate Liaisons • Reference the www.nafsa.org/eavisas for updates on recent visa changes for various countries World-At-Large Country Coordinator Miguel Ayllon University of Missouri World-at-Large Liaisons Beth Laux Clementine Hakizimana Kathryn Rich Joe Sevigny Lisa Brown Joe Milostan Mireille McLaughlin Jolie Roetter Debbie Miller

  14. Schengen and the E.U. • 6 E.U. member states (U.K., Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania) are not currently part of Schengen Area • 4 E.U. non-member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are part of the Schengen Area • Biometrics • Effective May 15 all U.S.-based consulates of Schengen countries are linked to the Visa Information System (VIS). All applicants’ biometrics will be taken at their appointment • Schengen vs. National Visas • Schengen visas are limited to 90-day stays in the Schengen Area • U.S. passport holders are generally exempt from obtaining a Schengen visa • 90-day limit out of 180 rolling calendar days (see handout for calculator website URL) • No central authority to refer cases – each country may interpret treaty differently SCHENGENSTATES Coordinator Jason Sanderson Georgetown University

  15. FBI Record • First determine if the consulate does indeed want a record from the FBI. Otherwise, a state police record may suffice and is faster to obtain. • When authentication of the FBI record is required, send record to the Office of Authentications at the US State Department to request an Apostille stamp. • Fingerprints from any police station or local law enforcement office will be required. Call ahead for fingerprinting office hours. Request 2-3 sets of prints. • Processing time is approximately 10 weeks. • Students with strict time limits who wish to expedite the Department of State authentication process are encouraged to work with a visa processing service (may be able to get authentication within 24 hours) • Nearly 25 percent of requests for records are denied because of missing information, illegible fingerprints, or incorrect payment. • FBI: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/faqs

  16. International Student Visas • Many Countries require visa for non-US students • Countries may require entry visas (even if U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa) • Visa fee may vary based on the country of origin of the applicant • Students may have to appear in person • Some countries may require transit visaseven if that country is not the student’s final destination • Countries may require a valid US. Visa at the time of application • Non-US citizens should check with their advisors to obtain information for reentry to the US prior to travel for study abroad

  17. Visa Process • Visa application process: • Home institutions takes charge of application process • Program sponsor takes charge of application process • Student is responsible for application process • Consider the possibility of using a visa processing agency for relevant countries to ensure accurate review of visa applications and support

  18. NAFSA Help • Committees • Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee • Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee • Online • Visa Updates: www.nafsa.org/eavisas • Visa Assistance: www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp • Note: Register for a NAFSA ID and password • Publication • Student visas: What you need to know before you go

  19. Publication • Student Visas • Top 10 do’s and don’ts • FAQs • Passport information • Helpful web sites • Glossary of visa terms • Purchase online

  20. Thank You Get involved: Receive visa updates - Make connections with your consulate - Help others in the field! To find out about volunteer opportunities with CAL or the Visa Education Subcommittee, please visit www.nafsa.org/openpositions

More Related